An almost forgotten member of last year’s 53, Ajani Cornelius looks to get more active in his second season. But with many depth options on the offensive line, he’ll need to have a strong training camp if he wants to find his way back to the Cowboys’ roster in 2026.
Background
Years in NFL: 1
Acquired by: 2025 6th-round pick
After four years of starting at right tackle for Oregon, Cornelius came out last year as the classic “better as a guard” offensive line prospect. At only 6’4″ and lacking the blocking technique
to take on professional edge rushers, a move inside was discussed when the Cowboys took him in the sixth round. But with depth and starter issues at OT last year, Cornelius still got looks at his practiced position.
He survived final cuts and was stashed on the roster all season. But even with Tyler Guyton missing seven games, Cornelius stayed in street clothes. He was active for one game in October but only logged seven snaps, and all on special teams. Clearly, as with many late-round rookies, the Cowboys didn’t think he was ready for primetime.
Contract Status
Years Left: 3
2026 Cap Hit: 1.06 million
At the very least, Cornelius’ year as an inactive kept his original rookie deal in place. If he can take a step forward this year, be it at guard or tackle, he will offer cheap labor as a backup.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup G/T
Roster Chance: 50%
That the Cowboys hung onto Cornelius all last year without usage says they see developmental potential, which you’d hope from any drafted prospect. But now that Drew Shelton, a fourth-rounder from last April, is here, Cornelius getting back on the 53 will likely be as a guard or at least a tweener. With Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele expected to return to their starting roles, Nate Thomas and Shelton should emerge as the primary depth. Cornelius would have to defy all expectations to work his way into that conversation.
With Brock Hoffman’s departure and a season-ending injury to his replacement, Matt Hennessy, things are more open on the interior. We know T.J. Bass will be the primary backup at guard and perhaps now center. But after him, things are fairly open. Trevor Keegan made last year’s roster before injury, so he could be seen as a frontrunner. But if Dallas keeps 10 offensive line backups, a guy who could potentially play both guard and tackle like Cornelius would be competitive for that last spot.
As a late-round pick, Cornelius is far closer to the chopping block in his second season. They generally don’t get the rope that those Day 1 and 2 guys get, or even the fourth- and fifth-rounders. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cornelius end up on the practice squad this fall, or with another team. But if he does have a strong camp, the lane is there for Cornelius to push his way back onto the roster and even into active duty.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | S Justin Barron | G T.J. Bass | C Cooper Beebe | CB DaRon Bland | G Tyler Booker | S Alijah Clark | RB Malik Davis | DT Tommy Dunn | CB Cobie Durant | OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku | TE Princeton Fant | TE Jake Ferguson | WR Ryan Flournoy | C Matt Hennessy | S Malik Hooker | OLB James Houston | QB Sam Howell | WR Jordan Hudson | LB Shemar James | G Trevor Keegan | CB Derion Kendrick | OLB Isaiah Land | OLB Marist Liufau | S P.J. Locke | FB Hunter Luepke | RB Phil Mafah | QB Joe Milton III | WR Jonathan Mingo | CB Devin Moore | DT Otito Ogbonnia | LB DeMarvion Overshown | TE DJ Rogers | TE Luke Schoonmaker | LS Trent Sieg | WR Anthony Smith | TE Brevyn Spann-Ford | OT Terence Steele | CB Reddy Steward | OT Nate Thomas | S Jalen Thompson | DT Jay Toia | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling | OLB Tyrus Wheat | RB Javonte Williams | OLB Sam Williams | DT D.J. Withers | S Julius Wood
